I have just been caught riding a mountain bike 300m after the entrance of Tai Tam Country Park near Park View residence by 3 HK Country Park Rangers this afternoon with a friend.
Honestly, we were going fast and we did not see the panel at the entrance, neither I knew about this bicylcling ban in HK Country Parks and the permit. However that may be, the rangers were particularly stubborn and did not want to let us leave the park, they took our names and adresses and told us we will receive later on a summon asking us to go to Court (!), and that there will be a hearing with a lawyer and so on...

Apart from the fact it sounds really ridiculous (a simple fine on the spot would have been more appropriate), does anyone within HKMBA has already experienced such a conviction ?
Basically I would like to know what will be the practical consequences: how long after the fact do we receive the summon, does the HK justice really consider this offence as serious or is it just a kind of "theatrical" hearing ? Is there really a lawyer ? How much will be the fine ? It looks like it can be maximum 2,000 HKD or 3 months of prison, but the rangers told us vaguely it will be 300 HKD.

From anecdotal evidence its a day off work for a court appearance and a $300 slap on the wrist for a first offense. -No criminal record although I think if you get caught again the fine is increased.
HK Island rangers are notorious for frequent patrols/busts, some may be outwitted by a sudden failure on your part to speak English or Cantonese

First offence should be a minor fine, around HK$300-500 sounds about right. If you're planning to plead guilty (which looks likely and seems to be your best option), just do a quick mitigation by expressing contrition. Not sure about saying that you were going fast and that you didn't see the panel at the entrance though.

Not a big deal the 1st time, but the best is always to speak your native language and not a word of English or Cantonese.

Here's my trick to avoid many troubles in Hong Kong: "je n'ai pas mes papiers. Mon passeport est a l'hotel" ( /e: "i don't have document. my passport is in the hotel"). That normaly finish in pronouncing again and again with a nice smile and with the worst French accent possible "PASSPORT-HOTEL, EUUUUUUUHHHHH, ... SORRY MONSIEUR".

If you are English or Cantonese speaker only, just learn a bit a French to save your time when in troubles.